Published: Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 8:53 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 8:53 p.m.

TAMPA - Steve Spurrier knew if Ace Sanders was a few inches taller, there was no way the South Carolina football coach would have been able to pry the former Manatee High standout out of the state of Florida.

When Florida and Florida State passed on the 5-foot-8, 175-pound wide receiver/returner three years ago, Spurrier welcomed Sanders to Columbia, S.C., with open arms.

In a rare return to the Sunshine State, Sanders did not want to disappoint.

Along with his allotment of six tickets, he said about another two dozen family members and friends were among the 54,527 at Raymond James Stadium to witness his visit.

“I told them you won’t waste your money buying those tickets,” he said.

Even Sanders could not have scripted a better showing.

The former Manatee High standout scored three touchdowns, two on receptions and one on a punt return, and was named the Outback Bowl’s Most Valuable Player in the Gamecocks’ thrilling 33-28 victory over Michigan on Tuesday afternoon.

“He was fired up about playing in his home area,” Spurrier said.

“I came out with something to prove, but at the same time I just tried to be patient and let the game come to me,” Sanders said. “I found that when you actually press for stuff, it doesn’t play out like you want.”

Sanders first dazzled the crowd with a 63-yard punt return, going from right to left untouched late in the first quarter to give South Carolina a 14-3 lead.

The Gamecocks noticed Michigan prefers to provide protection for its punter with nine players. When Bruce Ellington and Brison Williams handled the outside gunners, Sanders knew he would have some clearance.

“There was nobody else down the field,” he said. “We knew we would have time to get out and have numbers.”

Sanders’ first touchdown reception came when reserve quarterback Dylan Thompson rolled to the right and tossed a 4-yarder to make it 21-10 South Carolina early in the second quarter.

“They played exactly like we thought they would play: honest,” Sanders said of the Michigan secondary. “They tried not to get beat deep.”

Yet, Sanders beat the Wolverines deep for his most spectacular catch of the game.

After Jadeveon Clowney’s forced fumble and recovery with a thunderous hit on running back Vincent Smith, gave the Gamecocks the ball on the Michigan 31-yard line, Sanders knew Spurrier would go for the jugular on the first play.

“We knew what play it was: the big play,” Sanders said.

He was the primary receiver.

This time it was starter Connor Shaw who hit Sanders in stride at the back of the end zone. It took a toe drag and a replay confirmation to corroborate the scoring strike that put the Gamecocks back in front 27-22.

“Me and Conner joke he’s almost like a video game,” Thompson said. “He just goes out, the smallest guy on the field in most cases, makes them miss. You look up and he’s in the end zone. Seriously, he’s the definition of a playmaker. I think it was great for him. This is his hometown basically, being from Bradenton.”

Despite being buried under a mass of teammates following the score, Sanders was flagged for an infraction, but did not know why.

“I have no idea,” he said. “I saw them throw the flag. .

.

. I didn’t know what was going on. I had the whole team lying on top of me. I didn’t know they gave me the flag.I asked them way, and they said, ‘unsportsmanlike conduct.’

”

Still, Sanders was not finished contributing.

In South Carolina’s game-winning drive, he caught three straight passes, the first a 6-yarder on a fourth-and-3 from its 37-yard line with 1:30 left that kept the Gamecocks in contention. Sanders followed up with receptions of 8 and 6 yards. The junior finished with 9 catches for 92 yards, both team highs.

“I can’t thank my teammates enough,” he said after finishing the season with team highs of 45 catches and 9 TDs along with 531 receiving yards. “I just told them to put it in the air and have faith in me. All thanks goes to them for giving me the opportunity to even go out and make the plays.”

Not bad for a guy deemed too small by some.

“It can get rough chasing a bunch of 5-8 guys around the field the entire time,” Sanders said. “They don’t want to do that. We can run all day. Fatigue is not in our mind. It plays out for the better. Make sure we catch all the balls, run precise routes and just get the job done.”

“He can play football. That’s for sure,” Spurrier said. “That was our good fortune that that happened. He’s a good player.”

Now the question remains: Will Spurrier have Sanders around for his senior season, since he is eligible to make himself available for the NFL Draft.

“I still have some time,” Sanders said. “I’m going to discuss it with my coaches and my family. I’m not in a big rush. Whatever happens, happens.”

Right now, even at 5-8, Sanders is big man on campus.

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